Drying apparatus and process



G. A. LOUGH DRYING APPARATUS AND PROCESS Filed May 10, 1921 lllIIIIl\.lllll l llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll I COOL AIR WHEATED AIR "ATOMIZED MILK jwucnfoc GeraldALougH Patented Nov. 18, 1924.

I -BP sum simian, .01 um IEL, 1D; xnwwinzas' DRYING] s w arsrso ms L application sea Kay 10,1921, Serial m. teases;

2'5 all it may (3mm,- 2

4 Be it known. that I, GERALD'A. Lotion, av

citizen of the Dominion ojf Qanada, residin at Plainfield', in the co'unty' 'of, Union an 5 State of New Jersey, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Drying Apparatus. and Processes; jof-v "which the'following is a specificationi" in device for drugs; chemicals, milk and 0t er fluids or'semi-fluids, whereby the solid constituents can be separated I from the liquid. It ise an object of theinvention to provide a device'whlch can be made-in small sizes to provide forthe-needs of drug. manufacturers and others who have occasiomto ry relatively small quantitiesi'of numerous materials. 'f i v R I It is also an object ofthe invention to p rovide such a device which shall'be compact 1 and eflicient and yet simple in structure, com 'aratively inex ensive to install and :liab e to get'out'o order. I

Referring to the accompanying drawings, which are made a art 'hereof and on which similar reference 0 aracters indicate similar Part9, Figure 1 is a vertical section' of my device, s

an Figure 2 sectiofi onii e-je" of m1, n I v vFigure 3 aperspective of a"valve g In the drawings reference :charaeter 5-indicat es the outer shell of the device which is 8 refe'rilbly cylindrical in forniandi'fi inicates'an inner shell eoncentric with the first and e'Xtendingupwardly beyond the I shell 5. L'At their wen'end'the shell jm connected by an annuIusLTh'avi'ng an annular series of apertures 8' "'with'upwardly extendin flanges about the apertures; The lower en of member 5 maybe-formed'els 'a hopper 8 for collecting; the evaporated mater'lal or the hopper mayl'j be formed 'sepa- 46 ratelyf and en portedinanyconveinentmam ner, the entire device" belting supported by posts, -9 having braces 10. 4 el'ower'gportion of the hopper maybe fixed to one \IOI' moreof the braces 10. At lower the hop'pe'r so has agate 11 which may be flexible or hinged as", desiredand which is" normally held in weight bf material hasj collectedein the hop My said invention relates to a, spray 'dryper,' after which 'theimaterial discharged into: a barrel 'or other-container placed below the ho per and the gate will again swin to close position. The shel I 6' extends'upwardly some dis tance above the'upper' end of shell 51nd may terminate in atapered portion 12 orithe ap r d po o .2 ey'b if t y if desired. An outer shel1 14 is-spac'edifrom part12'v to provide'a'container'ior'heat insulati'nglmaterialili-l andth'ese parts withf'a lateral extension 15 form the'upper' end of the drier. A window 16 is provided in this partfor purposes'of inspection or'for. am to the interior as may be neededand one or more nozzles 17 are also 'provided 'at the apex of the device. "These'no'zzles serve for spraying milk or other'fluidor semi fluid material into the current 'ofhot aircoining through the inlet 15.' Various other means of producing asprayms be substituted :for the nozzle shown'at 17 this being illustrated merel'yf'as a conventionalatomizing means. )The space between the-shells 5 and =6 is divided into four compartments by 'a-series of partitions; 18, these partitions extendin from well to wall and from-theannulus up to'the lower'end of 'the valve 19 shown in detail inFig'ure 3; *In each of these partitions there are shown three'tubular screens 20 leach being attached at its lower end toa flang'eaboutanxopening 8-"in annu'lus7 and each being connectedat itsupper I end to a ring 21carried by. a lever22'pivoted onthe outer shell '"'5. The screens are-preferrbly' made of clothand are of small diameter, -e;' g, some'four Ol fiVQ'il'lOhOS. wElectromagnets '23 act on le'vers 22 to hold the screens normallyst'raight as at the left-hand side of F-i re 1'. 3 By energizing and ide -en ergizingt 'emagnets ashaking actionmay be iven to' the screens as indicated atxthe rig't-hand side of Figure 1. Above the screens andbetween the shells5 and (lie a valve 19 "sup orted b -fla'ngesiat the upper ends' of-the s ells'.'- Y e va ve comprisesan upper annulus 24; having gear teeth. 25 about itsvouter'edge, a lower annulus26-and conne'cting means'forthetwo. The connecting meanscomprises aseries ofithreepi trons 27 -extending between annulus "and a 10 solid pins or rods 28 extending between annulus 24 and a narrower portion of annulus 26. It: will 'beseen that the wider portion a of the annulus when it is above one of the i 'close the same at the top as at the; righthand side of Figure 1 while the narrower i as at the left-hand side of Figure 1.

intermittently operatedgear 29 driven by.

v any suitable mechanismengages the teeth Y and serves -to ;impart; intermittent] rotary compartmentsbetween shells 5; and 6 will portion will leave a space adjacent each $1211 .1

movements to the-valve, each intermittent movement extending through an arc of'90 An outlet passage is provided. iuth'e shell ,5 and is connected to; iany suitable r r w-fi t exg,; h s th ns drier.

. In vthe operationiof device suction ing create by means; connected tothe outlet 301 heated air is drawninfatlfi andliqe 'uid is sprayed into the current offair at being indicated it the course of. the air by wavy arrows. and that of the spray by dotted arrows. It willbe seen that the air at its temperature will" contact with the li uid where the spray isde-nsest and Ofth 'c takesp where y reason'otlthe rapid evaporation the solid constituents from lhigh. temperatures ,The evaporation greater'portionofithe li uid contents uidis, sprayedinto theicurrent. v of, air and v ma'y vcontinue .down through; the chamber,

The ter pm or the 'so1id' 'eonstituents fwill deposited at the'{.bottom vvhiohv is also" the;coolesflportionibf theficontainer while such solids as are not deposited, here I willbe carried up by the air-current through the 'annularasenes of screens, r the current ga W V cd into a plurality 0% t s o branches corresponding" to 'three-f0,ur

the totalfnumb'er of screensin ;-the:;embodi-' ment ofthe invention here illustrated t and; the material being de sited'in the screens in wderedform as t a air passes through their walls: It willberememberedthat upper end of one compartmentis closed by the'wide' part of annu1us26,,thus preventingthe suction in v the a chamber. off yalvef 19 from acting-to :draw air through the scr ns "in the-compartment;

' through 5 theremaining screens, out h'rough their, walls, and thence a the air dutlet assagejBO. through-"the um I the narrowpart of annulus Th'ejsolids wd'er,. 3p?" rated from t y the screens and: 'a'lsojiLtoprevent; clogging ot the same are least" likely. to suffer v acealmost instantaneous y as the liq- 1 will-for 'the' 'mostipartjfall f into theflhopper. a

" I order-to clarzths scree s intervals I rovide means, for. shakmg the screens "which are'beneath -thewide portion of an nulus 26. Such means may include any conventional device for successively energ1zing and 'de-energizing the corresponding electro-inagnets '23,,the remaining electromagnets being constantly energized so long the screens. During the time that screens of asetare being shaken a'cu'rrent of outer'air, indicated by solid arrows, will be drawn down through each tube 27 and screen 20 of that set to assist in carrying vention, what I clami asnew and desire to. w vb3 Le s n i i i a 1 A spr drier" 'f r a tite-li atin liquidscomprising a; passa'eway forf fair, meansto' spray liquid into t e current f of air adjacent thepoint of admission, a stationary tubular. screen through the-walls offwhichthe current subsequently passes to separate the evaporated materials therefrom;

' and mean s permitting ajjreverse current of air to pass through the tubulafsoreen at intervals to free .itv from particles of solid matter adhering'thereto, substantially asset I 2.:A spray the powder down into the hopper 8. The. process is a continuous one, the sets of screens-being successively clearedjof accumu lated powder andfthen' placed in action a-s m- U a Having thus fully described mysaid in;

to it as an air current is passing upward through drier comprising} concentric upright cylinders, anannular series'of tubu; Y

lar screens between them, whereby a; :cur-f rent of air may pass throughtheinner' cyl inder andthence through thescreens, means adjacent the point of admission of'air to project aspray of -liqui d into the current, means at the lower end of the drier to collect the driedresidue of solids, means to out off the air-current successively from the screens torender them inactive and means to shakelthescreens' when the {current is cut off, substantially jas set forth. t

., I 3. A spray drier comprising concentric upright cylinders,an annular seriesof tubui- Y5? lar screens them, whereby a cur rent of :air may throu out ofi th'e air-current successively from the '1 screens torenderjtheni inactive; meaii'sft'o shake the screen; when ';the current .is cut ofi and means for directing a reverse current'fo'f airjthifough'saidf inactive screens, su s a ystash,-

4- 5 p ay r e ompn ng 'h i e casingprovided =:with' a downward passage for heated 'air, an exterior casingconcentri'c with the first torming a chamber concentric with the main chamber anda'p'lurality of screens in said chamber ,'anex-itpa'ssage above said screens and a valve between. the screens and the ex1t passage said/valve controllin the assage of air throu h each of said in dividiihl screens, substantifilly set forth. r

5. A spray drier comprisin [an internal casing, an external casing, a p urahty of tubular. screens in the'space between the cas- I ings,whereby a current of a r may pass through the internal casing. and branch currents in the screens, 8.. Vfl.lV6; btWeeIi the '-'-screens.and-the exit passagefor said current, said valve adapted to interrupt the branching-currents 'in successive screens and to direct a' reverse currentto pass through said :screens, substantially .as set forth.

6. A spray drier comprising. casing, an external casing, a p u bular screens in the space between the. case ings, whereby a current of, air may. pass through the internal and branch currents in the screens, an exit passage for the air, a valve between the'screens and the exit passage saidvalve being adapted to interrupt the branching currents in thecircuit or screens and to direct V a reverse. current through said'screens, 'meansltfor normally said chamber, means to admit air to the chamber, a suction opening fo'r causing a current of air to enter at one end of eachtubular screen and pass throu h the walls thereof, and a rotary valve at t e other end of the screens adapted to interrupt the current in successive screens of the series, substantially as set forth.

8. In a spray drier, an annular chamber, a plurality of tubular upright screens in said chamber, means to admit air to the chamber, a suction opening for causing a current of air to enter at one end of each tubular screen and ass through the walls thereof, a rotary va ve comprising opposed annular plates and spacers between the plates some of said spacers being in the orm -of tubes adapted to register with said tubular screens to permit passage of a reverse current through said screens. and

gearing for rotating said valve, substantially asset forth.

9. A process of separating solids from liquids comprising, creating a curent of heated air, projecting a spray of liquid. into the current, dividing the main current into a plurality of branches, passing each branch current through the walls of a tubular screen, and reuniting the branch currents into a current jacketing the first-named current to conan internal ralityof tug serve-theheatof the same, substantially as set forth.

10. A process liquids comprising, creating a current of heated air, projectinga spray. of liquid into the current, dividing, the main current. into av plurality of branches,- and passing the branch currents separately through the walls of anannular series. of, tubular screens, and reuniting the. branch currents into a current j acketing the first current,substantially; as set. forth. 1 11.. processof separating-solids from liquids comprising creatinga, current ofair,

projecting a spray of, liquid into the current, diyiding the main current, into a plurality of branches, passin the branch currents separately through-t e; walls of an-annularse.

I of separating -solids from,

riesof tubular. screens, reunitin the branch currents into a. current jacketlngithe first current, and cuttingofi the-branch currents in progressive succession, ,substantially as set forth.

12. A process of separatingliquids comprising creating a current of air, projecting aspray of-liquid into the current,

dividingthe main current into, apluralit'y of branches, passing the branch currents separately through the wallsof annularseries of tubularscreens wherebythe branch currents are reunited into acurrent jackets ing the-firstcurrent, cutting oifthe branch currents in progressive-succession, and shakingj, thescreensinzthe direction of. their.

length while the aircurrent is. cut of, substantiallyas set forth; q

13. A process of separating solids from liquids comprising creating a current of air, projecting a spray of'liquid into the current, dividing the main current into a plurality of branches, passing'the branch currents separately through the walls of an annular series of tubular screens, reuniting the branch currents into a current j acketing the first current, cuttin'g 011' the branch currents in progressive succession, shaking the screens in the direction of their length while the air current is cut oil, and simultaneously passing a reverse current of air therethrough,

substantially as set forth.

14. A s ray drier for separating solids from liquids comprising a passageway for air, means to spray liquid into the current of air adjacent the point of adm ssion, a stationary tubular screen through the walls of which the current subsequently passes to separate the evaporated materials therefrom, a -valve normally closing one end of the screen and. means for opening the valve to permit a reverse current of air to pass from end to end through the tubular screen at regular intervals to free it from particles of solid matter adhering thereto, substantially as set forth.

about saidconduit leading to'said exhaust port, a ho per at the lower end of the caS-fl mg exten mg underneath the conduit and due 'ofthe liquid by gravity a'ndmeans for shaking the screens, substantially" as set g i and t e tubular screens to receive thedried forth.

16. 111 a'spray drier, a'series' of tubular bular screensbetween them whereby acur-' rent of air may passthroulgh the inner cylinderand thence through t I for admittingair near the ugper end of the e screens, a port drier, meansadjacent tosai 'port for projecting a'sprayof liquid'into the entering current of air, means atthe lower end of tthedrier to collect thedried residue of solids,-means rotatable about the inner c linder to cut oil the air-current successlvely thetubu'lar screens to receive the" dried resiscreens, a desiccating chamber communicah ing'with the screens in said series, means"tos admlt 'air to thechamber, liquidspraying from the screens to render them inactive, and

means to shake the screens when thecu'rrent is cut oil, substantially as set forth; 1

for spraying a liquid into said conduit, an

exhaust port for air, an annular seriesof' stationary vertical tubular screens arranged about said condult'leading to said exhaust port, and aho'ppe'rat the lowerend'of the casin extending underneath the conduit residue of the'liquidsimultaneously from c said conduitand said tubular stantially assetfor'thf screens, sub- 19. A spraydrierg comprising concentric upright cylinders, an annular series of 'tu-zbular screens between them whereby acurrent of air may pass, through the inner cyl inder and thence'through the screens, a portfor admitting air near the uppe'n'end of the drier, means adjacent to said port for pro-' jecting a spray of liquid into-the entering current of air, means atthe lower end of the drier to collect the dried residue of solids, andmeans rotatable about the axis of the cylindersto shake thescreens in succession,-

substantially asset forth.

'In witness whereof, 'I have hereunto set my hand and seal at Washin on, District of Columbia, this 2nd day 0 May,A. D. 

